[Official] Marcos Antonio Leaves Lazio Permanently As São Paulo Trigger Purchase Clause

Marcos Antonio’s Lazio spell is officially over. São Paulo’s 1 to 0 win over San Bernardo has activated the obligation to buy in the midfielder’s loan agreement, meaning the Brazilian club now owns the player on a permanent basis.

The clause was tied to São Paulo securing their first win of 2026, and once that result arrived, the deal automatically became effective. After around a year and a half on loan, the 2000 born midfielder will now complete a full transfer worth €4.2 million, paid to Lazio.

For Lazio, it is a clean and important exit. The club turns a loan situation into guaranteed income, while also removing a player who was no longer central to the project at Formello.

However, Marcos Antonio’s story in Brazil may not be settled yet. Even after the permanent transfer is triggered, there are growing signs he could quickly become a target on the market again. Flamengo, led by Filipe Luis, have already been linked with the midfielder in recent weeks, and now that São Paulo officially holds his registration, a real negotiation can begin.

If Flamengo decide to move from interest to action, they would need to convince São Paulo to sell the player soon after buying him. That scenario would leave coach Hernan Crespo potentially losing a midfielder he has just secured permanently, but it could also offer São Paulo an immediate chance to profit.